French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius urged on Wednesday that people should immediately stop referring to terrorists calling themselves the ‘Islamic State’ by their self-chosen name.
The Arabic acronym for the group is “Da’esh” – its former full name, ISIL, Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant. Fabius referred to the group instead by its Arabic acronym, “Da’esh” on Wednesday, and urged others to do the same.
The French official pointed out that Da’esh does not represent Islam, nor does the group comprise a legitimate state.
France is also sending arms to Kurdish leaders to fight the terrorists. French President Francois Hollande is set to arrive in Iraq on Friday; he is scheduled to host an international conference next Monday on how to stop the group and help Iraq.